Your favour of 11th has been received at this place, & we equally lamented your absence and the cause which produced it. Having returned in bad health to the upper country, I did not get here till some days after the Visitors assembled & was detained two days on the way. Happily I have recovered and have been able to make the usual Report as chairman of the Committee of Inspection. Genl. Breckenridge, Genl. Cocke, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Johnson & myself are the Visitors in attendance. We have gone thro’ the business and are now about to return to our homes. After a great deal of discussion and very hard voting, we leave the fees as they were. I suspect we shall lose Dunglison at the end of the next course. Probably the fees of the Law School will suffice for the present. Even as to those of the medical professor, it seems to be very much doubted whether the professor would not lose by raising them. There will be full time for further investigation. We have reelected Doct: Patterson as chairman, and newly organized the office of Proctor—giving him the place of Patron & Librarian & the privilege of keeping a book store: & uniting the offices of proctor & subproctor with a salary of $1000. the latter office being given to Mr. Carr, late of the U. States Navy. Mr Carr is hesitating about the acceptance of the offer. At one time we had transferred the office of Bursar to Mr. Brokenbrough in addition to the preceding office, but on a feeling remonstrance from Mr. Garrett we cancelled that part of the arrangement. There has been much disorder here during the last course; & I confess I have painful anticipations for the future. The number of Students is likely to increase. We all have heard with great regret of the death of Col: Monroe. His place has been supplied by Genl. Broadnax. I sincerely hope you will give us the pleasure & advantage of your presence at the future meetings of the Board. Every member would deeply regret your absence. I write in great haste. Please to present me in the most respectful & kind terms to Mrs. Madison, & believe me to be ever most resy. & truly yours